The cooled and heated front seats are supportive and bolstered without being restrictive. The center console still has a gear-shift lever, not an electronic knob.

An electronic scratch pad on the center console allows for various system inputs, including phone dialing. With eyes on the road, the driver can draw phone digits one a time while the system perceptively translates the scribble. It seemed quite good at reading my sloppy writing.

An electronic scratch pad on the center console allows for various system inputs, including phone dialing. With eyes on the road, the driver can draw phone digits one a time while the system perceptively translates the scribble. It seemed quite good at reading my sloppy writing.

There are 37.4 inches of back-seat legroom and a comfortable seatback angle and a broad fold-down armrest. The center position is slim with compromised footroom from a tall transmission tunnel.

The 310-hp, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with eight-speed Tiptronic has fuel economy ratings of 19 city, 28 highway, using premium fuel. The driving range can stretch to more than 550 miles.

Mark Maynard, U-T Automotive Editor

Audi didn’t follow the leader when updating its Audi A6 sedan. It cornered the BMW 5-series and Mercedes-Benz E-class and then redefined the segment.

With a half inch here and there in the dimensions, new and tighter tolerances in assembly and clean styling, the 2012 A6 graduates to the Tier 1 league of aspirational sedans.

And it brings its own temptations and considerable fuel economy with a redefinition of power.

Last year the A6 was sold in two V-6 and two V-8 models in front – and Quattro all-wheel drive. Powertrain options for the 2012 A6 are a front-drive 211-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder with continuously variable automatic and a 310-hp, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with eight-speed Tiptronic.

Fuel economy for the 2.0T is 24 mpg city and 33 highway. The 3.0T is rated 19 city, 28 highway. Both engines require premium fuel.

The 3.0T Quattro Prestige test car had a starting price of $50,775 and was $61,530 as tested. The starting prices are about $5,000 less than a comparable 5-series and $3,000 less than the E-class.

Twenty percent of the A6 is made of aluminum, including the body panels and suspension. Its curb weight is 66 pounds lighter than last year’s car.

The A6 is completely contemporary with a strong stance and styling that makes a fast statement. European sedans can be harsh in tone inside, but the A6 is relaxed with clean styling and pleasing textures and tones. Materials and assembly are impeccable.